Fall River reaches deal to add solar power at schools, water treatment plant

The city is making strides in its effort to create renewable energy alternatives.

Mayor Will Flanagan announced on Tuesday that Fall River has reached an agreement with energy service provider Ameresco Inc. to install and operate solar power-generating systems at three city schools and the wastewater treatment plant.

The city is making strides in its effort to create renewable energy alternatives.

Mayor Will Flanagan announced on Tuesday that Fall River has reached an agreement with energy service provider Ameresco Inc. to install and operate solar power-generating systems at three city schools and the wastewater treatment plant.

“It is my goal to make our city a green city,” Flanagan said. “It is also my goal to make our city an energy-efficient city. Through this initiative, we are able to make a statement that we are committed to energy efficiency and reducing our carbon footprint.”

Ameresco will design, install and operate the solar-power systems. The company will also install more than 3,400 energy-efficient lighting fixtures at Henry Lord Middle School, Spencer Borden Elementary School, Government Center and City Council chambers.

City taxpayers will not bear any of the costs for the project — the program will be funded entirely with $862,000 in stimulus funds and contributions from local utility companies. As part of the agreement, the city will receive a fixed rate on electricity for the length of the contract. Reduced energy costs are expected to save the city $2.7 million over the next 20 years.

“This partnership will help our city become more energy-efficient while also achieving longterm savings here in the city of Fall River,” Flanagan said.

The project is expected to get under way immediately. Jim Walker, Ameresco’s director of solar photovoltaic grid projects, said finishing the project by year's end will trigger a tax incentive.

“Depreciation kicks in next year on the investment tax credit,” Walker said. “ We want to make sure the city gets the biggest bang for their buck. We’ve worked very hard to make sure that happens.”

The combined Fall River system will consist of 2,624 solar modules and is expected to produce close to 750,000 kilowatt hours annually. The energy generated by the solar panels will be tied in to the grid. Any electricity not used will go back into the grid and Fall River will receive credit.

In 2009, Ameresco began building a similar solar-power system in Newburyport. David Anderson, Ameresco’s executive vice president, said the current plan calls for getting the systems at Talbot, Silvia, Kuss and the water treatment plant up and running in 2011, with the possibility of expansion in the future.

“The benefit for municipalities is there is no cost for installation and there is a predetermined utility rate,” Anderson said.

During the announcement, Flanagan also announced the city has applied for a $500,000 federal grant through the U.S. Department of Energy to build charging stations that would allow owners of electric cars to plug in their vehicles. Previously, the city installed a pair of solar-powered trash compactors downtown and on the waterfront, and added energy-efficient lights at B.M.C. Durfee High School.